Apple: How To Unpair Restart Reset your AirPods User Guide
- September 25, 2024
- Apple
Table of Contents
Apple: How To Unpair Restart Reset your AirPods User Guide
Introduction
How to unpair, restart, and reset your AirPods for optimal performance. Whether you’re troubleshooting connectivity issues or simply preparing to pair your AirPods with a new device, knowing how to perform these steps is essential. Unpairing ensures a fresh connection while restarting can resolve minor glitches. If you’re facing more persistent issues, resetting your AirPods can return them to factory settings. This process is straightforward and can be done in a few simple steps, making it easy to restore your AirPods to their best condition.
Unpair, restart, or reset your AirPods
If your AirPods aren’t working right, first make sure the device they’re paired with is up to date. Then try unpairing, restarting, or resetting them.
Unpair AirPods
- iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings, tap the name of your AirPods near the top of the screen, then tap Forget This Device. This removes the AirPods from all the devices where you’re signed in to the same Apple Account.
- Apple Watch: Go to the Settings app > Bluetooth, tap, then tap Forget Device to remove AirPods from all devices where you’re signed in to the same Apple Account.
- Mac: Choose Apple menu > System Settings, click the name of your AirPods in the sidebar, then click Forget this Device.
- Apple TV: Go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth, then select your AirPods. Select Forget this Device.
Note
After removing your AirPods, you must pair them with a device associated with
your Apple Account to use them again.
Restart AirPods
If your AirPods aren’t working right, try restarting them.
- AirPods (all generations) or AirPods Pro (all generations) : Put the AirPods in their case, then close the lid for a minimum of 10 seconds.
- AirPods Max: On the right headphone, press and hold the Digital Crown and the noise control button at the same time until the status light next to the charging port flashes amber (around 10 seconds), then immediately release the buttons.
- Important: If you hold the buttons longer than around 10 seconds, AirPods Max returns to factory settings.
How to reset your AirPods and AirPods Pro
You might need to reset your AirPods if they won’t charge, or to fix a different issue.
- Put your AirPods in their charging case, and close the lid.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Open the lid of your charging case, and put your AirPods in your ears.
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth. Or go to Settings > [your AirPods].
- If your AirPods appear there as connected, tap the More Info button next to your AirPods, tap Forget This Device, then tap again to confirm.
- If your AirPods don’t appear there, continue to the next step.
- Put your AirPods in their charging case, and keep the lid open.
- Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds, until the status light on the front of the case flashes amber, then white.
Return AirPods to factory settings
If your AirPods aren’t working correctly after you restart them, you can return them to their factory settings.
- AirPods 1, 2, or 3, or AirPods Pro (all generations) : Put the AirPods in their case, close the lid, then wait 30 seconds.
- Open the lid, then press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds, until the status light flashes amber, then white.
- AirPods 4 (both models) : Put the AirPods in their case, close the lid, then wait 30 seconds. Open the lid, then double-tap the front of the case three times. When you successfully reset your AirPods, the status light flashes amber, then white.
- AirPods Max: On the right headphone, press and hold the Digital Crown and the noise control button at the same time, until the status light next to the charging port changes from flashing amber to flashing white (around 15 seconds).
FAQs
How do I unpair my AirPods from my iPhone?
Can I unpair my AirPods from all devices at once?
No, you will need to unpair your AirPods individually from each device they're connected to.
How do I restart my AirPods?
Simply place your AirPods in their charging case, close the lid, and wait for about 30 seconds before opening the lid again. This acts as a restart.
How do I reset my AirPods?
With your AirPods in the charging case, open the lid and press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes amber, then white. This will reset your AirPods to factory settings.
Why should I reset my AirPods?
Resetting your AirPods can resolve connectivity issues, charging problems, or if you want to pair them with a new device.
Will resetting my AirPods delete the firmware update?
No, resetting your AirPods will not affect the firmware. Any updates will remain intact.
How do I reconnect my AirPods after resetting?
After resetting, open the case next to your device and follow the on-screen prompts to pair your AirPods again.
Can I reset AirPods without using the charging case?
No, you need the charging case to reset your AirPods. The reset button is located on the back of the case.
What should I do if my AirPods won’t unpair?
Try turning off Bluetooth on the device you want to unpair from, restart the device, and then attempt to unpair the AirPods again.
Will unpairing my AirPods delete any custom settings?
Yes, unpairing and resetting your AirPods will revert any custom settings (like double-tap functions) to their default state. You will need to set them up again.